SUBJECT
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Approve Land Purchase Agreements in conjunction with the purchase of conservation preservation properties located in the Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Project - Crooked Lake West Area, Aronovitch, Evancho, Heaton, Jackman, and Sokolowski parcels. ($12,500.00 one-time expense)
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DESCRIPTION
The County through its Environmental Lands Acquisition program routinely acquires title to properties for conservation preservation purposes. Through this acquisition program the County has accumulated a large land holding within the Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem known as the Crooked Lake West Area; however, many of the parcels are scattered and non-contiguous making land management activities very difficult. The County’s Natural Resources section has identified numerous parcels which if acquired would infill and add to the overall conservation area while aiding in future land management activities. The County is in the process of contacting the property owners of the identified parcels, many of whom are out of state, with an offer to purchase the specific parcels. Several property owners are still reviewing the offer and others, such as the ones referenced below, have decided to accept the County’s offer, and have executed agreements for the sale of their properties.
Approving the following agreements will allow the County to purchase and take ownership of the subject properties. It will also allow the parcels to be incorporated into the existing Crooked Lake West conservation preservation area and aid in the overall land management of the area:
1. Land Purchase Agreement between H. L. Aronovitch and Polk County for the purchase of Parcel ID Number 273122-000000-043190 for $2,500. The property is a vacant, rectangular-shaped parcel containing approximately 1.25 acres lying in Section 22, Township 31 South, Range 27 East.
2. Land Purchase Agreement between Robert Evancho and Polk County for the purchase of Parcel ID Number 273127-000000-011160 for $2,500. The property is a vacant, rectangular-shaped parcel containing approximately 1.25 acres lying in Section 27, Township 31 South, Range 27 East.
3. Land Purchase Agreement between Paul H. Heaton and Polk County for the purchase of Parcel ID Number 273034-000000-042020 for $2,500. The property is a vacant, rectangular-shaped parcel containing approximately 1.25 acres lying in Section 34, Township 30 South, Range 27 East.
4. Land Purchase Agreement between Gary R. Jackman and Polk County for the purchase of Parcel ID Number 273127-000000-011040 for $2,500. The property is a vacant, rectangular-shaped parcel containing approximately1.25 acres lying in Section 27, Township 31 South, Range 27 East.
5. Land Purchase Agreement between Alex Sokolowski and Lydia Sokolowski, his wife, and Polk County for the purchase of Parcel ID Number 273127-000000-011110 for $2,500. The property is a vacant, rectangular-shaped parcel containing approximately 1.25 acres lying in Section 27, Township 31 South, Range 27 East.
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board approve the afore-mentioned Land Purchase Agreements and authorize the issuance of checks totaling $12,500 for the respective purchases.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are available for the purchases of the properties in the Environmental Lands Acquisition Fund.
CONTACT INFORMATION
R. Wade Allen, Administrator
Real Estate Services
863-534-2577